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Guided internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (i-Sleep Autism) reduces insomnia severity in autistic adults.

In a randomized controlled trial of 163 autistic adults with insomnia, i-Sleep Autism significantly reduced insomnia severity at mid-intervention and post-test compared to waitlist control (d = 1.02, 95% CI [0.65, 1.40]). At post-test, 37.8% of the intervention group versus 11.1% of the control group showed clinically meaningful improvement, and effects were maintained at 6-month follow-up.

Last updated: Jul 24, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score58/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Effectiveness of Guided Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Autistic Adults (i-Sleep Autism): a Randomized Controlled Trial.

observational

Spaargaren KL, Begeer S, Nieuwenhuis S, Bradley J, Riper H, Greaves-Lord K, van Straten A · Sleep (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 5 weeks intervention, 6-month follow-up
Intervention: i-Sleep Autism, a 5-week guided self-help internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (ICBT-I), adapted for autistic adults.
Outcome: Insomnia severity (primary outcome), pre-sleep arousal, anxiety, depression, daily functioning, quality of life.
Effect Size: d = 1.02
Population: Autistic adults (n=163) with insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index ≥ 10).

Result:

PubMed: 42472472DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsag199

Mechanism Graph

Cognitive behavioral therapy targets maladaptive sleep beliefs and behaviors
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Internet delivery provides accessible, structured self-help modules
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Guided support enhances adherence and personalization for autistic adults
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Result: Reduced insomnia severity and improved quality of life

Limitations

  • ⚠Only 50% of intervention group completed all five modules, indicating high dropout
  • ⚠No significant effects on anxiety, depression, or daily functioning were found
  • ⚠Waitlist control design may overestimate treatment effects due to expectancy bias

Frequently Asked Questions

What is i-Sleep Autism?▼

i-Sleep Autism is a 5-week guided internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia adapted for autistic adults, co-created with autistic individuals.

How effective is i-Sleep Autism for insomnia in autistic adults?▼

It significantly reduces insomnia severity with a large effect size (d = 1.02) compared to waitlist control, and 37.8% of participants showed clinically meaningful improvement at post-test.

Does i-Sleep Autism improve anxiety or depression?▼

No significant effects were found for anxiety, depression, or daily functioning in this study.

Are the effects of i-Sleep Autism long-lasting?▼

Yes, improvements in insomnia severity were maintained at 6-month follow-up.

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References

  1. 1.Spaargaren KL, Begeer S, Nieuwenhuis S, Bradley J, Riper H, Greaves-Lord K, van Straten A. "Effectiveness of Guided Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Autistic Adults (i-Sleep Autism): a Randomized Controlled Trial.." Sleep, 2026. PMID: 42472472 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsag199
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.